The cinnamon roll was, without question, the most delicious thing you'd ever tasted. The dough was impossibly soft, melting on your tongue with buttery sweetness while the cinnamon filling provided a warm, spicy contrast. Before you realized it, you'd devoured the entire thing, licking traces of sticky icing from your fingertips.
"Good, right?" Lillian asked, her plump face glowing with pride. "It's my special recipe. My mother taught me the basics, but I've perfected it over the years."
"It's incredible," you admitted, suddenly aware of how hungry you actually were. Your stomach growled audibly, and your cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Lillian laughed, the sound warm and melodious. "Don't be shy! Here at Evergrove, we celebrate our appetites." She pushed the plate toward you. "Have another. I made plenty."
Against your better judgment, you took a second roll, biting into it with less hesitation this time. As you ate, Lillian waddled over to her side of the room, the wooden floor creaking beneath her weight. She settled onto her bed, which you noticed was reinforced with extra supports.
"So," she said, watching you with curious eyes, "how did you end up at Evergrove? Most students apply years in advance."
You swallowed a mouthful of cinnamon roll, considering how much to reveal. "I... I'm not entirely sure. There's been some kind of mistake. I never applied here."
Lillian's eyebrows shot up, disappearing beneath her bangs. "Really? That's unusual. Though not unheard of. The Academy sometimes... selects students they believe would benefit from our unique educational approach." She checked her watch, "Oh we're going to be late! I've got to introduce you to some of my friends before dinner."
On your way Lillian decided to make small talk, "So, what classes are you taking? Maybe we'll have some together!"
You fumbled for your schedule, still distracted by the lingering taste of cinnamon and sugar. "I'm not really sure. This is all kind of... sudden."
"Oh, first-day jitters! Don't worry about it." Lillian's eyes lit up as she read over your schedule. "We have Advanced Literature together! And look—Culinary Arts. That's my favorite."
"Culinary Arts?" you questioned. "I didn't sign up for that."
Lillian giggled, the sound oddly melodic coming from such a large frame. "Everyone takes it here. It's part of the Evergrove experience."
Before you could ask more questions you came across a door which Lillian pushed open to what appeared to be a common room. Inside, three girls lounged on overstuffed couches, each one as substantial as Lillian, if not more so. Plates of cookies and brownies sat on every surface, and a rich chocolate scent hung in the air.
"Ladies, this is our new transfer!" Lillian announced, pulling you forward.
Three pairs of eyes turned to you, assessing with undisguised interest.
"This is Meredith," Lillian said, gesturing to a blonde girl whose body seemed to spill over both sides of an armchair. "She's our resident chemistry genius."
Meredith waved, her arm jiggling slightly. "Nice to meet you. Cookie?" She held out a plate.
"And that's Vanessa and Sophia," Lillian continued, pointing to two dark haired girls on the couch. Vanessa was the larger of the two, her uniform straining across her vast middle, buttons barely holding on against the pressure. Sophia was slightly smaller but still impressively round, her cheeks flushed as she nibbled on a brownie.
"Welcome to Evergrove," Vanessa said, her voice surprisingly melodic. "We've been waiting for a new addition to our little group."
"I'm not really..." you started, but Sophia cut you off.
"Don't worry about fitting in," she said, misinterpreting your hesitation. "Everyone feels a little out of place at first. But you'll grow into it." The way she emphasized 'grow' made your skin prickle with unease.
You perched awkwardly on the edge of a chair, refusing the plate of cookies that made its way around the circle for the second time. The conversation flowed around you—talk of classes, professors, and an upcoming baking competition that seemed to be a major event at Evergrove.
"You should enter," Meredith suggested, looking at you. "New students always bring fresh ideas."
"I don't really bake," you said quickly.
"Oh, you will," Vanessa replied with a knowing smile. "Everyone finds their specialty here. Mine's cheesecake. I make one that'll make your knees weak."
The girls laughed causing their bodies to jiggle. You forced a smile, trying to ignore the way your stomach growled, still remembering the taste of Lillian's cinnamon roll.
"Speaking of food," Lillian said, checking her watch again, "we should head to dinner. Don't want to miss the headmistress's welcome speech."
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